Amarnath yatra to remain suspended from August 3: officials

Srinagar, Aug 02: Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that this year's Amarnath yatra will remain suspended along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from August 3.

"Due to recent heavy rainfall and the need for track maintenance along both the Baltal and Pahalgam axes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra route, the Yatra movement has been closed on both the tracks," said an official.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, stated, "Due to the recent heavy rains, critical repair and maintenance works are required on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. It has been observed that due to continued deployment of men and machinery on the tracks from tomorrow, we would not be able to resume yatra. The Yatra will therefore remain suspended from 3rd August onwards from both the routes."

More than 4.10 lakh yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji this year, said the official.